Machine for printing various denominations of postage on



1 1,639,350 Aug 1927 A. H. PITNEY ET AL MACHINE FOR PRINTING VARIOUSDENOMINATIONS OF POSTAGE ON MAIL MATTER, ETC. AND REGISTERING AMOUNTTHEREOF Filed March 10, 1923 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 lnvent ore;

Atcorne 1,639,350 7' A. H. PITNEY ET MACHINE FOR PRINTING VARIOUSDENOMINATIONS OF POSTAGE ON MAIL MATTER, ETC. AND REGISTERING AMOUNTTHEREOF Filed March 10. 1923 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 16 1927. 1,639,350

A. H. PITNEY ET AL MACHINE FOR PRINTING VARIOUS DENOMINATIONS OF POSTAGEON MAIL MATTER, ETC. AND REGISTERING AMOUNT THEREOF Filed March 10, 19239 Sheets-Sheet 3 lnve'niom By I 1,639,350 1927' A. H. PITNEY ET ALMACHiNE FOR PRINTING VARIOUS DENOMINATIONS OF POSTAGE ON MAIL MATTER,ETC., AND REGISTERING AMOUNT THEREOF Filed March 10. 9 3 '9 Sheets-Sheet4 ZZCQ:

\nvenions Aug. 16,1927. 1539.350

A. H. PITNEY ET AL MACHINE FOR PRINTING VARIOUS DENOMINATIONS OF POSTAGEON MAIL MATTER, ETC. AND REGISTERING AMOUNT THEREOF .Filed March 10 9Sheets-Sheet 6 16 1927. 7 1,639,350 Aug A. H. PlTNEY ET AL MACHINE FORPRINTING VARIOUS DENOMINATIONS OF POSTAGE ON MAIL MATTER, ETC. ANDREGISTERING AMOUNT THEREOF Filed March 1923 9 Sheets-Sheet anuentozj1,639,350 1927 A. H. PITNEY ET AL MACHINE FOR PRINTING VARIOUSDENOMINATIONS OF POSTAGE on MAIL MATTER, ETC., AND REGISTERING AMOUNTHEREOF Filed March 0 1 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 31 A 301* 314 315 an 3on\nventors Mim - 1,639,350 1927' A. H. PITNEY ET AL MACHINE FOR PRINTINGVARIOUS DENOMINATIONS OF POSTAGE ON MAIL MATTER, ETC. AND REGISTERINGAMOUNT THEREOF Filed March 10. 1923 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Patented Aug. 16,1927; l

UNITED STATES- 1,639,350 PATENTfOFFICE.

ARTHUR H. PITNEY AND moon w. OGDEN, or STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, assrouons,

BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, To .PITNEY-BOWES POSTAGE METER comm, or

STAMFORD, CONN EGTICUT, A CORPORATION 01' D ELAWARE.

MACHINE FOR PRINTING VARIOUS DENOMINATIONS OF POSTAGE ON MAIL ETQ, ANDREGISTERING AMOUNT THEREOF.

I Application filed March 10, 1923. Serial No. 824,228.

' This invention relates to machines for impressing stamps or the likeupon envelopes, cards, and the like, and simultaneously registering theamount printed, and is in par- 5 ticular an improvement in' machines ofthe type shown in the Pitney Patents #1,273,793

dated July 23, 1918; Reissue #14:,916 dated July 13, 1920; and#1,370,668 dated March 8 1921.

Such machines are designed for use by persons, firms, or corporationshaving large numbers of letters to mail; and enables such user topurchase any desired amount of prepaid postage from the Government, andthen 15 print such postage, from time to time, in any denominationdesired, until the amount of postage paid for is exhausted, whereuponthe machine will become automatically locked so that no further stampscan be printed thereby. I

The object of the present invention Is to provide novel means wherebyany one of a plurality of denominations of stamps, or-

the like, may be printed as desired, and the amount of each stamp (ofany denomination) be automatically registered .in themachine withoutrequiring the use of a plurality of. interchangeable meters, such as described and required in the above mentioned Pitney patented machines.

More particularly the present invention is designed to print meteredmail indicia of different denominations on letters, cards,

etc., and register the amount of postage used' by means of only oneprinting die and only one meter. The die has a plurality of printingsurfaces each representing a different denomination of stamp and any oneof such surfaces may be 'operatively positioned at the will of theoperator, to receive ink and produce imprints. The turning ofthe die tobring the desired printing surface to operative position throughsuitable mechanism automatically changes the relation of the gearingbetween the die and meter, in such a manner that the meter will recordin terms of dollars and cents the face value of the imprint produced bythat particular surface of the die which is in operative position. Theadjusting of the die for different surfaces also automatically changes 7(through suitable mechanism) the index and ink devices, so that ink ofthe desired distinctive color corresponding to the denomination engravedon the face of the die will be supplied to that surface when saidsurface is brought into operative position.

This invention obviates the necessity of the user carrying in stock anumber of metered mail meters containing dies of depominations which heinfrequently wishes 0 use.

In general, the output and operation of our present machine issubstantially the.

while in our present invention only oneprinting member and only onemeter is required. The die has a plurality of faces engraved withindicia representing difl'erent denominations; and'the die canbeadjusted so that any one of its faces can be brought into operativeposition. And the present invention further provides means whereby ifdesired each different denomination of 1 stamp may be printed in its owndistinctive color; and to this end the invention further includes novelmeans whereby when the die is shifted so that the impression therefromwill give a stamp of a certain denomination, the proper color inkingdevices will be brought into position to cooperate with the face of thedie so that the stem printed thereby will be of its own properistinctive color.

' The invention further rovides means whereby when the die is ad ustedto chan e the denomination of the stamp which will %e printed thereby,the register actuating devices will be'automatically adjusted so thatthe register will be actuated in exact accordance with the denominationprinted by the die, for each operation of the die. For example, if thedie is adjusted to print a 195 stamp for each operation of the machinethe register would re 'ster only one unit at each'opera-tion; if t e dieis adjusted to print a 52 stamp the register would register two unitsfor each operation of the machine; and if the die is shifted to print a5g stamp the register would register five units for each operation ofthe machine, etc. The machine is so constructed that it cannot be madeto print a stamp of high denom1nation while the registering mechanism reasters a lower denomination, or vice versa, ut the exact amount of eachstamp prmted will be registered.

In the present machine all of these adjustments, except that of shiftingthe die itself (which is manually performed) are automatically performedby mechanisms in the machine.

The machine is further provided with means for automatically preventingoperation of the machine unless the meter is in proper position therein;means for automatically stopping the effective operatlon of the machinewhen a predetermined amount of prepaid postage has been exhausted; andother safety locking means as hereinafter described, as set forth .inthe patents above referred to; so that it would be impossible for theuser of the machine to cheat the Post Office Department, or for theusers employees to etfectively operate the machine without a record ofsuch operations being made by the registering mechanism.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter setforth. We will explain the invention with reference to the accompanyingdrawings which illus trate one practical embodiment of the invention,and an understanding thereof will enable others to adopt and use theinvention for various purposes; however, it is capable of changes inform, construction, and combinations of parts. within the scope of theclaims, which set forth the essentials of the invention and the novelfeatures of construction and novel combinations of parts for all ofwhich protection is desired.

The machine illustrated in the drawings is designed to print andregister stamps or the like of three denominations, to wit, 1, 20 and47, and the register actuating gear ratios are calculated accordingly;but other denominations could be used by making a corresponding changein the ratios of the gears controlling the register, so that theinvention is not restricted to the specific denominations illustrated.Neither is it restricted to a three-face printing member as such membercould be provided with two, four, or more printing faces, the registeractuating gears being corresponding changed.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the mechanism embodying the present inventionas applied to a postage meter machine.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a part side elevation and part longitudinal vertical sectionthrough Fig. 1.

1,ese,esso

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view of the register driving gears. I

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the gearing between thedie and meter.

Fig. 6 is a transverse section on line 6 6 Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a detail view of the device for raising the ink rollercarrier.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical section through the printing member, andthe means for connecting it with the indexing gears.

Fig. 9 is a transverse section on the line 9-9 Fig. 8. 4

Fig. 10 is a detail view of the tripping mechanism.

Fig. 11 is a side view of mechanism.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail vertical sectional view of the meter andmachine locking devices.

Fig. 13 is a detail section on line 1313 Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a plan view of meter with top of case broken away.

Fig. 15 is a longitudinal vertical section through the meter on line1515, Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a transverse section through the meter on line 16-16 Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a detail arrangement of part of the register locking devices.

Fig. 18 is a detail view of register locking devices.

The machine to which the invention is applied is preferably constructed(except as to the parts hereinafter referred to) as described in PitneysPatent #1,370,668, dated March 8, 1921, and has a feed table, envelopesealing devices, and feed rollers (not shown herein) for directing theletters to and past the rollers 21, 22. Fig. 1, by which the envelopesare directed on past the impression roller 137 and the printing member238, hereinafter referred to, and the letters after being postmarked aredischarged between the rollers 108, 109, in front of astacker wheel (notshown) by which they are stacked in the usual manner on a table or rack,not shown, but as described in the aforesaid Pitney patent. The rollers21, 22, 137, 108, 109, shown in Fig. 1, employed for permitting theprinting member to operate once for each letter fed through the machinemay be constructed and operated substantially as described in saidpatent, and form no particular part'of the present invention. Thercforewe have not deemed it necessary to illustrate nor describe same indetail herein.

We have herein called the object being operated upon a letter, by whichwe in tend to include any object such as checks, cards, small packages,etc., upon which the machine is adapted to operate, as we do not intendto limit the invention to machines for operating on mail matter only. Wealso part of the such tripping ,printing member, but use the word Stamp?merely as a descriptive term, and not as limiting the printing member toany particular kin or denomination of postage. stamp, as the printingmember might be readily a apted for printing tickets, vouchers, etc., ofvarious kinds and denominations, and by the use of the word Stamp we donot intend to restrict the invention to use on mail matter only.

In the present. invention the printing member 238 carries an adjustableprinting die 240 having a plurality of printing faces,

and adjacent to the printing member is'an inking member preferablycarrying a set of inking devices, and which is automatically ladjustedso asto supply the proper color of ink to the related printing surfaceof the die b and with the adjustment of the printing ie on the afterexplained.

Also adjacent the printing member 238 is an adjustable registeractuating mechanism which, at each operation of the printing die,operates the register, and devices areprovided by which the extent ofoperation of the register is automatically controlled and adjusted bythe adjustment of the printing die surface; so that the register will beoperated in accordance with the. denomination of the stamp actuallyprinted by the die at the printingpoint. Also, a removable meter ispreferably provided containing the registering mechanism; and suitablesafety controlling devices are employed whereby the machine cannot beoperated unless the removable meter is properly positioned in themachine and whereby, after a predetermined number of stamps has beenprinted, the meter is prevented from being effectively operated; andother minor safety devices are provided, as hereinafter referred to.

The adjustable printing member. As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 8, and 9, the

printing member, comprises a revolvablecasting having a disk-likeportion 238, and a hub 238 by which it is connected to the upper end ofa vertical shaft 237 which eX- tends through box 201 mounted on thetable top 200 of the stand, carrying sealing. printing, and stackingmechanism similar to that shown in our aforesaid Pitney patent. Theupper end of the shaft 237 is journaled in an overhead bearing plate 203secured to the top of the box 201 by bolts 204" extending throughspacing sleeves 204. This shaft 237 extends into and practically throughthe box 201 and its lower end is journaled in a bearing 201 andconnected by a suitable clutch hereafter described with the drivingmechanism below the top 200, as hereafter explained.

printing member, as herein-.

The printing die 240 is mounted on a stud shaft 241, parallel with thehub-238, and journaled at the lower end in art 238 of disk 238 and anarm 238 pro ecting from .hub 238 above the disk. The die 240 isapproximately triangular in cross section, Fig. 9, and its side facesare curvedmstead of planes. The die can be turned on its axis so as tobring any one of its curved faces The die 240 is provided with key ways241 engaging keys on shaft 241 (Figs. 8 and 9) so that the die 240 iscaused to re- -volve with shaft 241, but said shaft may be moved axiallyof the die. A cupped bushing 241 (Fig. 8) is slidably fitted on theupper end of shaft 241 so that it can turn with shaft 241 whilepermitting axial movement of the shaft. A knurled knob 242 is secured bymeans of pin 242 to the upper end of bushing 241. A spring 241 is placedbetween the bushing 241 and the knob 242 around the shaft 241, and tendsto force the shaft 241 upwardly and normally hold it raised as in Fig.8.

On the lower end of shaft 241 isa disk,

243 adapted to fit into a recess in the lower part of printing member238, said disk being provided with a tubular extension or hub 243extending upwardly therefrom upon the lower end of which is looselymounted a plate 244. Above disk 244, and around the upper end of hub 243and shaft 241, and contacting with the walls of the recess. is a sleeve245 pinned to shaft 241 and extending over the hub 243 of the disk 243,serving to hold the plate 244 in place on the disk 243 and causing saidplate 244 to move axially with the shaft 241 though said plate 'does notrevolve with shaft 241.

From the lower face of disk 243 project three pins 243 which are equallyspaced apart on a circle whose center is the center of the shaft 241,said pins being firmly pinned to the disk .243.

Plate 244 has a free running fit on the hub 243 and to this plate 244are fastened three upwardly projecting pins 244 which are equally spacedapart and equi-distant from the center of shaft 241. These pins 244 passentirely through the disk 238 and project a short distance above it, andare adapted to engage three similarly located holes in the bottom of thedie 240 (see Figs. 8, 9) to hold the die in adjusted position during theprinting operations.

Shaft 247 (Fig. 8) is journaled in the top plate 201 of the box 201directly in line with the shaft '241 when the latter is in rest ornormal position. On the upper end of shaft 247 is fastened a disk 246;and to its lower end is fastened a gear 248.

The disk 246 is seated in a suitable recess in the top plate 201 so thatits upper face is flush with the top of said plate (Fig. 8). Disk 246 isprovided with three holes 246 which are exactly opposite the three pins243 of the disk 243 (when the parts are in normal position) so that ifshaft 241 be indicated at 240 in Fig. 9..

pushed down by pressing on the knob 242,

the three pins 243 will enter the related holes 246 in disk 246. v l

Three shouldered pins '249 are mounted in the, top plate 201 of box 201below the disk 246, the pins 249 being exactly in line withpins 243 andholes 246 when the die is in normal rest position. The pins 249 arenormally pushed upward by springs 249 held in place by screws 249 (asshown inFig. 8) and when pins 249 engage the holes 246 in disk 246, theyprevent any turning of the disk 246, shaft 247 and gear 248; and willalso prevent any turning of shaft 241 on its own axis but will notprevent rotation of the printing member 238.

By pressing down on the knob 242 the shaft 241, disks 244, and 243, canbe moved downward, and the pins 244* withdrawn from the holes in the die240, which can then be turned with shaft 241 to bring any desiredprinting surfaces of the die to the position When shaft 241 is depressedas described, th pins 243 of disk-243 will enter the holes 246 in disk246 and push ahead of them the three pins 249, until the tops of pins249 are clear'of the under side of disk 246, and the lower ends of thepins 243* are flush with the under side of disk 246, which disk 246 isthen free to be revolved with and by the turning of the knob 242 onshaft 241. After the turning has progressed a short distance, thedownward pressure on knob 242 may be relaxed as the holes in the die 240will then be out of register with pins 244 and no up ward movement ofthe shaft 241 can take place until they again register. When the die 240has been turned through 120 degrees however, the holes and pins willagain register and the spring 241 aided by the springs 249 willraise thewhole unit, shaft 241 and parts carried thereby, and the pins 244 willagain enter holes in die 240, and the pins 243 withdrawing from theholes 246 in disk 246 are followed up by the pins 249. Thus, die 240 andgear 248 are both locked in the newadjusted position.

Knob 242 can only be pushed down when the die shaft 241 is directly inline with shaft 247, as at any other part of its revolution the pins243* would encounter the top of the disk 246.

of box 201.

a hub 124 and three radial arms 124 on each of which is mounted a feltinking roller 123. As shown, each inking roller is mounted on a spindle123 which is supported on an adjustable member 123' which is pivoted onthe arm 124 by a'pin 123, which extends through the arm 124 and has adisk-like head 123 on its lower end which is adapted to ride on anannular boss 201 formed in the top 201 of box 200 directly under thepath of the ink rollers, said boss being provided with three equallyspaced depressions 201 into which the heads 123" of the ink roller pivotpins 123 are allowed to drop at each indexing of the bracket 124. Thisseatingof; the pivot heads 124 in the depressions of the box 201" absorbthe shock of the impact of the die 240 against the ink rollers 123 andprotect the gear train inside the box from undue strain. The individualinking roller and 'its support, with the exceptions explained, may beconstructed and o erated substantially as explained in the a oresaidPitney patent and as we do not claim the particular construction of theinking mechanism herein we think it is unnecessary to describe the samemore in detail. Each of the ink rollers 123 is charged with ink of adistinctive color to suit the denomination of the postage stamp indiciaengraved on the several faces of the die 240.

The hub 124 of the printing member is 'splined on a vertical shaft 255,the upper end of which shaft is journaled in the plate 203 and the lowerend in the top plate 201* '(see Fig. 7) of the box 201, shaft 255 beingparallel with the shaft 237.

The shaft 255 is provided with two keys, running its entire length andon its lower end is a gear 254, said gear 254 and bracket 124 beingfurther secured by set screws, as

shown in Fig. 7. The upper-end of shaft 255.

is provided with a sleeve 255, which enclosing the key acts as journalfor the shaft in the overhead bearing plate 203, the lower end of shaft255 being fast tothe hub of a gear 254 which hub is journaled in the topA spring 255 is placed around the shaft 255, and between the top of hubbracket 124 and sleeve 255" revolve with shaft 255, the spring 255 isnot affected by the turning of member 124. The .spur gear 254 on thelower end of shaft 255 operates the inking member 124 and is geared tothe spur gear 248 on the shaft 237 operating the printing member bymeans of a series of intermediate spur gears 253 and 250 (see Fig. 5)which are mounted on studs 253 and 250 attached to a frame 205 securedin the box 201.

' These gears are so arranged that when the shaft 241 is turned toadjust the rinting faces of the die 240 (as above descri ed) the gear248 is turned by and with shaft 241 and .consequently through theintermediate gears 250, 253, gear 254 and shaft 255 may be turnedoperating the inking member 124 so that the proper inking roller 123will be broughtinto position to coact with that die surface which isbrought into operative posi tion and tlius will supply the distinctivelycolored ink to its related die surface.

At each setting or adjustment of the die 240, the ink roller bracket124, and pivot -heads 123 must be lifted clear of thedepressions 201inthe boss 201", in order that it can be revolved. For this purpose alever 256, Fig. 7, is introduced in the interior of the box 201. Lever256 is pivoted at its cen- I which ter in the stud 257, one endextending under the lower extremity of shaft'255, the other extending anequal distance in the, opposite direction, terminates under a plunger258, passes through the top of box 201 and is provided with a knob 259on its upper end.

. By pressing down on the knob 259 the ink roller bracket 124 is liftedagainst the thrust of the spring 255 Fig. 3, releasing the pivot heads123 from engagement with the depressions in boss 201 and allowing thebracket to be turned. The gear 254 is made with an extra wide face sothat this lifting operation will not carry it out of mesh with the gear253 of the index gear train.

The oar-table register actuating Mechanism. The machine shown'isdesigned toprint stamps of varying denominations, and to register theamount or value of any and each stamp printed by it. Therefore weprovide means whereby the amount of each stamp will be registered. Inthe said machine, we use a single register for all the various stamps,and have provided means whereby whenever the die is shifted tochange thedenomination of the stamp to be printed, the register actuating deviceswill be correspondingly. adiusted so that the amount of such stamp willbe registered by the register. For this purpose we provide novel justedregister actuating mechanism whereby a variable extent of motlon will beimparted to the units wheel of the register in accordance with theparticular denomination of the stamp which is to be printed.

automatically ad Shaft 211 is shown as provided with two keys 211"(preferably integral parts. of the shaft) running its whole length andon opposite sides. Sleeves 211", which are key slottedwith a cylindricaloutside formv are provided as journals for the shaft 211 at places whereit has hearings in the frame 205. The gearing is such that the shaft 211makes one revolution for each revolution of the shaft 237 and printingmember 238.

A shaft 212, Figs. 12, 13, and 5, is arranged beside and parallel withshaft 211, and journaled in the members 205, 205*, and s provided withcollars 215 to prevent longltudinal movement of the shaft. Shaft 212 1spreferably provided with short keys 212 about midway between the members205 and 205 (Fig. 4).

Motion is communicated to shaft 212 from shaft 211 by means of eitherone of three pairs of gears 216-216, 217217, or 218-218*, Figs. 3, 4, 5and 6. Gears 216, 217, and 218 are slidably mounted on shaft 211 andtheir mating gears 216, 217, and 218 are slidably mounted on shaft 212.

Each of the gears 216-216", 217-217", 218--218 is key slotted to fiteasily over the keys 211 and 212 on their respective shafts so that saidgears may be slid axially on their respective shafts.

The keys 212, Fig. 4, are only long enough to engage one of the gears216*, 217, or 218 on shaft.212, but all the gears 216, 217 and 218 areengaged with the keys 211 on shaft 211. Conse uently, -although all sixgears will be revo ved when shaft 211 is turned, only the one gear (218or 217 or 216) that is engaged with the keys 212 on shaft 212 willimpart motion to shaft 212, the other two gears merely turning idly uponit.

Means are. rovided, as hereinafter described, for sliding the entire setof gears axially on the shafts 211 and 212, so as to cause the propergear 216 or 217", or 218 to drive shaft 212. v

The object of shifting the gears is to vary the extent of rotation ofshaft 212 relative to the rotation of shaft 211. The shaft 211 alwaysmakes one revolution for each impr nt, regardless of the denominationbeing printed,

212 which actuates the meter must vary with the denomination of eachdifferent stamp imprint. This shaft 212 extends beyond the ut the extentof rotation of shaft wall 205' (Figs. 3 and 12) and: has a couplingmember 213 on its end WhlCll PIOJBCtEl through an opening in the outerend wall of the box 201, as in 'cated, and is adapted to engage anopposed clutch member 806 on the register-actuating shaft in the meter300 hereinafter referred to.

The ratios of the teeth in the three pairs of shifting gears areselected to satisfy such requirements. The drivlng gear 216 in theexample shown has half the number of teeth of its mating gear 216 andwhen gear 216 is engaged with keys 212 on shaft 212, it will cause shaft212 to make revolution to one revolution of shaft 211. The driving gear217 has the same number of teeth as its mating gear 217, and whenproperly positioned over the keys 212 will cause shaft 212 to make onerevolution for each revolution of shaft 211. And the driving gear 218has twice as many teeth as its mating gear 218 and when engaged withkeys 212 will cause shaft 212 to make two revolutions to each one ofshaft 211.

The meter or registering mechanism is so constructed that it willregister one cent for each half turn of the shaft 212; it will thereforeregister two cents for a full turn; and four cents for two turns ofshaft 212.

As shaft 211 always makes one complete revolution for each printingoperation, and as shaft 212 is always advanced in multiples ofrevolution whichever gear is engaged, and as shaft 212 is provided withtwo keys 212 on opposite sides, and as each gear is provided with twokey seats 212 on opposite sides, it follows that the key seats in thegears 216, 217, and 218 will be in alignment ready to slide over thekeys 212 at the end of each operation of the machine.

With some variations of denominations of stamps it may be necessary toalter the center distance of shafts 211 and 212, and it may also benecessary to gear the shafts so that the meter will record one unit forsome other fraction of a turn of shaft 212; say

' turn or instead of in which case it would be necessary to spline shaft212 so that it would have four or six keys 212" in order to meet theservice conditions; but such changes would be readily made by thedesigner or mechanic, and would obviously be Within the scope of theinvention.

The sets of gears may be slid longitudinally of the shafts 211 and 212by any suitable means. As shown in Figs. 3 and 5, a U- shaped gearshiftin frame 206 is slidably mounted on the sha ts 211 and 212; and isprovided with key slotted bushings 206 fitted in the openings in itssides through which the shafts 211 and 212 pass, as indicated in Figs. 3and 6. The gear shifting frame is of such width that the bushings 206make a close running fit with the outer ends of the hubs of gears 218,218, and 216,

of its three faces into 216", so that if the gear shift frame 200ismoved longitudinally of the shaft, the sets of gears 216-216, 217-217,and 218218 will be moved with the frame 206. One end of a link 252 ispivotally connected to a stud 206 onframe 206 and the other end of saidlink is pivotally connected to a crank pin 251 on a gear 251 which isjournaled on a stud 251 on the frame 205, adjacent the intermediate gear250 and meshing therewith. The gear 251, as shown in Fig. 5, has thesame number of teeth as gear 248, and consequently when the gear 248 isturned by the ad ustment of the printing die 240 (as above explained),the gear 251 will be correspondingly turned. Thus when the die 240 1sturned on its axis to bring any printing position, the gear shiftingframe 206 will be moved by link 252 correspondingly to one of its threepositions, corresponding to the die faces, and bring the proper gear216, or 217, or 218 into engagement with the keys 212 on the shaft 212,thereby the correct amount for each stamp printed by the die 240.

The meter.

The shaft 212 might be directly connected with the units wheel actuatingshaftof the registering mechanism. In the machine shown we prefer toplace this registering mechanism in a so-called meter, constructed andadapted to operate substantially as shown and described in the aforesaidPitney patents, so that the machine can be used for the purposes setforth therein. This meter casing is shown at 300 in the drawings and isremovably supported upon a bracket 202 which is secured to the underside of the table 200 and projects beyond the outer end of the box 201,and has side flanges 202, as shown in Fig. 5, on its opposite sidesadapted to engage the flanges on the sides of the meter casing 300,substantially as described in our patent.

v The regulating mechanism in the meter consists of two counting units Aand S (see Fig. 14) of the geared type, mounted in the frame and drivenby the same gears. Counter A, starting at zero, adds one unit for everycent represented by the printed in-. dicia delivered by the machine.Counter S, being set or charged to the highest number in its range, willsubtract one unit for every cents worth of impressions used, until thecount reaches zero when by actuating certain locking devices it preventsthe forward motion of the meter pin 208 (Fig. 3) thereby rendering themachine inoperative, besides locking its own driving mechanism.

The counting units need no description as they are of the well knowngeared type, the unit wheel being the only directly driven wheel of theseries, motion being conveyed assuring the registering of mechanism; andsecond, the introductionof 305 1,689,350 key operated locking lever 311,see Figs. 16 and 18 wh ch engages cam 308, only when from standardconmeter is removed from the machine. Either from. units to tens, tensto hundreds, etc., by Geneva stops or intermittent gears.

The only departures struction are introduced in the subtracting one ofthese members (310 or 311) engaging or balance counter S and consist,first, of the cam 308 will effectually prevent the a notched disk 312*secured to the s de f {shaft 305 being turned to operate the meter. eachnumeral wheel controlling.thelpi mgj On the inner end of shaft 305 isapinion which meshes with a gear-312, pivoted a ring shield the l '2 Sona stub shaft between the counters and assembling of the parts to hield 1cover .up temporarily the notch tothis gear .312 is fixed a smaller gear312 111 the (115k 31)? attached to the numeral which meshes with anidler gear312 meshwheel of greatest denomination, when chargi i 'gear312a operativelv connected ing the meter, I have been describedandclaimed in detail and gear 3121; meshes directly w a 111 Pltneys P P PPP filed y gear 312 operatively connected with the r 7, ltqls unnecessaryunits wheel of the subtracting counter S t0 further explam 'h (see Figs.14 and 16). The gearing is such AS Shown, the meter 300 has a hollowthat a half revolution of the shaft 305 will metal base g a 15, move theunits wheel of both counters one bottom of which is left open untilafter tenth of a revolution therein and is then A1 4 a in position by aninaccessible catch 303, see teeth a is pivoted to 1 S Eg on The base 1 iadapted to be Shd .counter frame 304. The t eeth 314 are on the bracket202 untll its back wall touches adapted to Contact with th the frontwall of the box 201. The side x flanges on bracket 202 are engaged bynuts gg g zg fig i g g fi wheels 301 on the base 301 and prevent eitherverfi S rin S 314:, tical or lateral movement of the meter; an y p alrey operated bolt 320 normally pressed t1 th 1 1 d k(Fig. 15). The nocies in e 0e ring is s 312 are so loto be descubed cated that therelated teeth 314 of the comb later, holds the base 301 in. closecontact lever glwm engage the notches when the.

with the end Wall of box 201 until the coupling 306 of the registerdrislrle shaft1305 in the meter is in mesh with t e coup ing Wh I. 1

en all thenumeral wheels lOCklIl the 213 on the drive shaft 212.- Aframe 304. meter Show at therlsight p g the containin the two counters Aand S and a their geai s is mounted on the .top of the base teethdgfitof com}? lever Wm hifwe 301, and the driving shaft 305 of the re-gis-'gflge t iim the relatgd lockmg can ter passes through a'wa'll 301 at'theback of dlsfks 312.5. a locked reglstfrv lever 4 the base 301' whichextends: up above the i mt Spun 314 when the top of m base; A metalcasing note es permit. The loc 1n g comb lever 314 ing glazed openingsthrough which the readh P t secured Suite and m ings of the counters canbe seen is secured mg W Sald Plate havmg a downwardly related numeralwheels show 0. at the sight opening in the meter case 300.

to the base 301 and encloses the re istering Projecting lug an outwardlyP in echanism. This casing 300. is provided 180131113 3' The g 3146Serves as a handle to depress the lever 314, when charging the meter.The lug-314 depends into the path of lever 315 and acts as a catch toobstruct the movement of the forwardly extendin arm 315 of a cranklever, which is pivot-e at 315 on the base 301 with a hinged door 300fitted with a lock and seal, the key for which would be held by the postoffice officials, when the machine is used for postmarking and stampingmail matter. This door must be opened to set or chargethe meter at thepost office where it is locked and ea1ed;a,ga,in below the 001111681" f1'8ime 304. The other The. drive shaft 305 has secured to its Mm 315) 3Shown lgof bell outer end a coupling member 306 adapted clank l v l" 315prqects from its pivot toto'enga e the coupling member 213 on shaft rdthe f 3 1. 0f h ba e 301 and IS 212. T e ratchet 307 is fast to shaft305 provided with a head 315 whose outer face and is adapted to beengaged bya pawl 309, see Fig. 14, pivotally mounted on the wall 315. Inthe head 315 1s a socket 315 301 to prevent the meter drive shaft beingwhich, when the meter is charged 18 in turned in a reverse direction. Acam 308, alignment with the hole 301 'in base 301, see Figs. 14, 15, 16and 18, on the shaft 305 in which is entered the ,meter pin 208. isadapted to be engaged by a locking pawl hereinafter referred to (Figs.12, 14, 15, and 310, which automatically engages the cam 17). Onthe arm315* is a boss 315 (see 308 when the subtracting counter has Figs. 16,17 and 18) which supports the reached zero, and also to be engaged by alower arm 310 of the locking pawl 310,

e locking disks 1 The AS h of these feature with the units wheel of theadding counter is curved on an arc concentric with the pivot holding thepawl out of contact with the cam 308 of the drive shaft 305, when themeter is charged.

A spring 315 (Figs. 14 and 17) attached to the arm of the bell cranklever 315 pulls it normally toward the left and holds said arm incontact with the downwardly projecting lug 314 of the locking comb 314,and thus normally holds the arm 315 in such position that the socket 315in its head 315 is in line with hole 301.

The action of the levers just described in looking the meter when itssubtracting counter has reached zero is as follows:

iVhen all the numeral wheels representing dollars in the counter S reachzero the notches in the locking disks 312 are all engaged by the teeth.314 of the locking comb lever 314, which then rises (as described inthe aforesaid application) to the limit and in so doing moves lug 314out of the path of the arm of the bell crank lever 315 which is thenrocked by the pull of its spring 315', to the position shown in dottedlines 17. This movement of the lever moves boss 315 from under the arm310, and the locking pawl 310 under the pull of its spring 310 willengage one of the shoulders 308 of the cam 308 on drive shaft 305 at thecompletion of the operation.

This movement of arm 315 shifts the head 315, so that the socket 315therein no longer registers with the hole 301 in the wall 301 and thusprevents the re-entry of the meter pin 208.

As the release of lever 315 by the action of the locking comb 314 mayoccur near the beginning of a printing operation, it will be necessaryto defer the rocking of lever 315 until the end of the operation. Thisis accomplished by the meter pin 208 (Fig. 17 which being engaged in thesocket 315 of the lever arm 315 prevents spring 315 rocking lever 315,until at the end of the printing operation, when the pin 208 iswithdrawn; but immediately upon its withdrawal the lever 315 is rockedby its spring 315* and the meter pin 208 cannot again enter the meteruntil the parts have been reset.

zlletms for setting the meter.

)Vhere the machine is used for stamping prepaid postage on letters, whenthe registering meter is looked as above described the machine cannot beeffectively operated until the meter is removed from the machine and theregistering mechanism re-set. That is, the subtracting counter in theregistering mechanism must be again adjusted to show the total amount ofprepaid postage purchased, say for example $1000. For this purpose themeter is removed from the machine and taken to the post office, wherethe 317 returns thelever in Fig..

post office oflicial breaks the seal and unlocks the door 300 of themeter and re-sets or charges it as follows:

In order to restore the lever arm 315 to its normal position it isnecessary to lift the locking pawl 310. To accomplish this a handoperated bell crank lever 317 (Figs. 17 and 18) is pivoted at 317 on thefloor of the counter frame 304. When the front arm of this lever ismoved to the right (Fig. the end of its rear arm 317 engages a pin 310(Fig. 18) on the locking pawl 310 and moves the pawl out of engagementwith cam 308 and raises its lower arm 310 permitting the lug 315on-lever 315 to be again moved under said arm 310", to hold the pawl 310disengaged from the cam 308. A spring 317 to normal position (Fig. 17)after the above operation.

After lever 317 is pushed to the right, releasing pawl 310, asdescribed, lever 315 is then pushed to the right, returning arm 315supporting pawl 310 to the position indicated in full lines in Fig. 17,and bringing socket 315 into register with opening 301". Comb lever 314is then pulled down by means of handle 314 and lug 314 holds lever 315in normalposition (full lines as shown in Fig. 17 The ring shield 313 isthen turned to cover the notch in looking disk 312 of the numeral wheel(as described in Pitneys application, Serial No. 574,427 aforesaid) andprevents from rising. This holds the register set, as the comb leverteeth 314 cannot again enter the notch in the last numeral wheel lockingdisks 312 until all the numeral wheels have again been turned to zero.The shield 313 covering the slot in the locking disk is removed when therelated numeral wheel has been turned a fraction of a revolution,permitting the locking comb to lock the nu- .meral wheels the next timethat all the wheels read zero at the dial, as described in the aforesaidapplication.

1|! eans for locking the meter in position.

Secured to the front wall of the box 201 igs. 5, 6 and 12) is a keyoperated lock enclosed in a casing 223; the function of this lock is tooperate a bolt 225 (Fig. 6) which can be pro ected into the spacebetween the wall of the box 201 and a flange 208 on the meter pin 208 toprevent the meter pin being moved outward sufliciently to release themachine for an operation. A cam 224 is secured to the plug 222 of thelock, said cam being in the form of'a Geneva stop and is adapted toshift the bolt 225 to either up or down position. )Vhen in the upposition the upper end of the bolt is entered between collar 208 on thepin 208 and the wall of the box 201 and the meter pin 208 is held in itsin position locking the machine; when bolt 225 is in its down pothe combtooth lever sition (Figs. 12 and 17 the meter in 20s is esbelt 322.when'the meter is in place-on free to -be moved outward and release thea machine. W

The lock is enclosed in the casing-223' which pro'ects from the frontwall of the. box 201 (Figs. 3 and 4) into the path of the, meter. .Ahole 301, Fig. 15, is bored. into I the back wall 301 of the metal base301 to v within the base of the meter.-

' A cylindrical plug 31 8, Fig. 15

circular flange. 318 (which flange 1S'I10li accommodate the lock casing223, so that when the meter 300is slid into operative position on themachine it will enclose the casing 223 and the lock 'will then beentirely concentric. with the plug) is." slidably mounted in the hole301'? of the base 301, said flange 318 fittin the hole in'the end,

-, wall of the meter a opted to be entered by casing 223, but the! axisof the cylindrical plug 318 is considerably'below the center-of the hole301. The plug 318: is" slidably supported in an opening. on'fa bracket319 secured in the ase, 301; A 7 hole 301 is bored in the frontwall ofthe base. 301 in line with the hole in bracket319,

I ,and enters a hole 318 in plug 318, and has 7 position to close hole301, the outward move securely fastened toits inner end a key 321.

' Key 321 engages a key way 318 in the bore of plug 318' which permits.the'plug 318" to move longitudinally of the rod 320 but forces it toturn with the rod. The outer end of rod 320 is preferably'flattenedas at320* to form v a handle by which it may be manually turned. A collar 320secured to the rod 320 inside the base 301 prevents the rod being pulledoutward, .An expansion: spring 320 strung on the rod'320 between collar320 and the plug 318 normally pushes the plug outward and'holds flange318 inment of the plug being arrested by stop pins 318 which engagebracket 319,, when the outer face of the flange-318fis flushwith theoutside of the back wall 301 of the I meter base 301. The plug'has aprojection or tooth 318 close to the flangel318", and this tooth andadjacent part of the plug are shaped-to form a Geneva stop as 1ndicatedin Fig. 18; which stop is engaged by the lower end "311 of a lever 311pivoted at 311 and extending downward through an aperture in the base301, its lower end lying closeto the face of the bracket 319; andmachined to gear with the plug 318 and tooth 318, as indicated in Figs.15 and 18.

' Within the meter base isanother vertical bolt 322 (Figs. 15 and 16)sliding in a. groove119 in bracket 319, and held in place by a pla'te319. This bolt has a Geneva tooth notch 322 machined in its side andadapted to gear with the tooth 318 on plug 318. The bottom ofthemetercase 301 is es-= slottedto permit passage of the lower end{having $12. [The meter pin is cylindrical in the bracketas indicated inFig. 12.

Automatically loclcmg the mecham'sm by the meter.

The control of the printing mechanism by the meter is accomplishedthrough the action ofthe meter in 208. This meter pin 208, as shown inigs. 3,12 and 17,, is 'slidably mounted attbe front-end of the box 201in an opening 201 the front end wall thereof and an o ing 1n 2: plate260 fastened to the said wal by-bolts or studs 261, Figs, 3 and nerposit ion. iz'l he meter pm can he slid jback and forthiax'ially, motionbeing imparted toit-by a rock" arm .207 whose free end ggga'ges the'pin- 208 betwen the two flanges v 'Thefi'earerfdiof iheter' pin 208which proand a rod 320 extends through the hole 301 -3."

completion of every revolution of the shaft 211, and prevents shaft 211'from again revolving until and unless pin 208 is first withdrawn fromslot 214 bysuitable mechanism, preferably as hereinafter described.

- Before any printing can be done by the .machine it is necessaryto movethe meter pin I 208 outward to release the disk 214. When disk 21dbegins'to revolve it-holds pin 208 in its out position, .until. at thecompletion of-its revolution, the slot 214 in the disk again registerswith the pin, whereupon the latter will again enter the slot, said disk214 making one revolution for each complete' 'cycle ofv operations ofthe machine,- or

each effective printing operation of the machine. r f

The rockerarm 207 is pivoted at 207 (Figs. 6 and 13) and'a rod 8 ispivoted at one end to arm 207 by the pin 207'; said rod 8 extendsthrough holes in the frame 205 and its other end protrudes through anopening in the back wall of the box' 201 (Fig. 3) and contacts with thefree end of another rock arm (see Figs. 10 and 11).

. The rocker arm .7 is attached to the upper end of a rod 7 which isjournaled in bear ings on thetable 200 of the machine, and extends belowsaid table into'the ear casing and is provided on its lower en with anarm 7 which arm is connected by a link 6,

Figs. 3 and 10, which is connected to one arm '5 of a three armed leverpivoted on a stud 5 in the base adjacent the clutch ll which is adaptedto drive the shaft 237. The lever 7 is normally ilnpelled inwardly so asto cause the rodv 8 to swing the arm 207 to move the meter pin 208outward by means of an expansion spring 9 confined in a casing 9attached to the top of plate 200 and lever 7 is moved outwardly by theaction of the cam 11 on the clutch (see Fig. 10) and at the proper timerocks the three-armed lever 5*, this clutch being constructed andoperated substantially as described in the Pitney Patent #1,360,668,above referred to.

A spring 8 Fig. 5, on rod 8 acting between the wall 205 of frame 205 anda collar 8 secured torod 8 pushes rod 8 rearwardly into firm contactwith end of rock arm 7. This causes rock arm 207 also to rock to itsrear position, carrying with it the meter pin 208, which will thus beurged to enter slot 214:" of disk 214, whenever the slot is in positionto receive it, which is always when the machine is at rest. When howeverunder the trip action, the rock arm 7 is released by rod 6, the spring 9being much the stronger, overcomes the resistance of spring 8 and rocksthe arm 7 which pushes rod 8, rocking arm 207, thereby sliding meter pin208 forward and releasing the printing mechanism.

This forward motion of the meter pin 208 can only be accomplished whenthe meter is in position on the machine and charged to record theimprints as will be explained later. Any obstruction placed in the waypreventing the meter pin 208 from being slid forward will prevent therock arm 207, the rod 8, the rock arm 7, the rod 6, and the three-armedlever 5 from being moved and as a consequence the clutch 11 will fail toact as a driver for the entire mechanism.

The shaft 237 is rotated by mechanism substantially as described in theaforesaid Pitney patent, for driving the printing member therein, and iscontrolled by the trip devices such as described in said patent,whichtrip mechanism is released each time a letter passes through themachine, so that the machine will perform one cycle of operation, andmake one impression and register the amount of each letter which passesthrough the machine, the shaft 237 making one revolution for each letterpassed through the machine.

Shaft 237 is provided with two keys 237 preferably integral with theshaft, which run its entire length except at the extreme top end wherethe shaft is journaled in the bushing 237 of the overhead bearing plate203. A cylindrical piece 237 (Fig. 3) is key slotted and pinned to itslower extremity and constitutes the lower journal bearing in a bracket201 which is secured to box 201. The piece 237* is machined at thebottom to fit the floating (Oldham) coupling which isin turn connectedwith one member of the clutch 11 of the machine.

A key slotted sleeve 237 (Fig. 8) surrounds the shaft 237 where it bearsinthe bushing 237 at the top of the box 201.

The action of the clutch 11 (Figs. 3, 10 and 11) acting in conjunctionwith a tripping mechanism is such that only one complete revolution ofshaft 237 and die holder 238 can be made for each piece of mail fed tothe machine, the revolving parts bein brought to a definite stop at thesame place each time a piece is printed. The impression roller 137however is continually in motion and as the rinted piece must be movedalong after the printing is done, an idler roller 239 is mounted on thedie holder 238, Figs. 3 and 9, in such a position that it will makecontact with and be frictionally driven by the impression roller 137during the periods when the die holder 238 is at rest. The idler roller239 is fastened to a short spindle 239 which revolves in'the arms 238and 238 of the die holder 238, Figs. 3 and 9. It is cut away in thecentral portion of its periphery at 239 to avoid contact with the inkingroller when die holder 238 is revolved.

Tha trip mechanism.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 10 and 11, rollers 21 and 22 area pair of rollers commonly called trip rollers, between which theletters are successively passed from the feed table. The trip roller 22is preferably 1ournaled in a swingable support and guard 15, and isnormally yieldingly pressed toward the roller 21 by a suitable spring,as indicated in Fig. 1. The shaft of the roller 21 is mounted in fixedbearings opposite the roller 22 and guard 15, and a fence or guide 16 isarranged beside and between the rollers 21 and 22, but is slotted toaccommodate the rollers 21 and 22 so as not to interfere with theircontact with a letter passing between them.

A trip finger 1 is pivoted on a spindle 27 and has a curved head or end1 which projects in the path of a letter passing between rollers 21 and22, so that such a letter will strike this trip finger and willoscillate spindle 27. To spindle 27 is pinned an arm '2, and the tripfinger 1 and arm 2 oscillate or move as one piece. The trip finger isnormally held in letter engaging position by a suitable spring, such asindicated at 28, (Fig. 11) arm 2 being arrested by a stop pin 29 whenthe trip finger is in normal position.

The arm 2 is adapted to engage the curved and notched end 3" of a triplink 3 which end is supported and guided in a grooved member 13 havingupper and lower disk like portions 13 which guide the end of thenormally held against a stop 18 by means-of I a spring 19, and thusholds the trip link normally retracted.

The stop lever 4 (Fig. 10) has an arm 4 which normally projects into thepath of the arm 5 ofthe three-armedlever pivoted.

on a stud 5, adjacent clutch 11, and when innormal position a roller onthe arm 5 contacts with a roller on the arm-4 and arrests the movementof the arm 5, whichis normally pressed toward the arm 4" by means of thelink 6 under action of the spring 9.

The triple lever, of which arm 5 forms a part, has an arm 5" whichnormally projects intothe path of the finger 11 of the clutch releasemember of clutch 11 mounted on a shaft 30, which shaft is below and inalignment with shaft 237, and constantly driven by a gear 30 fixedthereon and meshing with the usual train of driving caring in themachine (not shown) so as to e constantly rotated when the machine is inoperation; such gearing being well known it is not necessary to show ordescribe same herein. The clutch 11 is preferably a so-called rollerclutch, of known construction and it is unnecessary to describe the sameherein except in its particular relation to the working of this machine;the finger 11' of the clutch release member protrudes from the body ofthe clutch in position to be engaged by arm 5 A stop 11 on the clutchcasing is also adapted to engage arm 5 and take up the shock of thestoppage of the clutch and parts affected thereby.

The clutch 11 is normally disengaged from the shaft 30 by contact of itscontrolling finger 11 with the arm 5", and the triple lever is held inthis disengaging position so long as arm 4 arrests the movement of arm5. When the part 11 is moved back toward 11 it renders the clutchinoperative. The lug 11 relieves the comparatively light piece 11' fromevery other duty except releasing the clutch rollers. The triple lever(having arms 5, 5") also has an arm 5 carrying a roller adapted toengage a cam 11 on the clutch case; which cam engages the arm 5 andreturns the triple lever to its original position so that arm 5 willstop the clutch after it has com leted one revolution. Rebound of theclutc and parts connected therewith is preventedby a pawi12.

As stated, the foregoing clutch and trip devices are constructed andoperated substantially asdescribed and disclosed in the Pit-ney Patent#1,370,668 and are not claimed herein, and therefore do not' need.

any more detailed explanation or, illustration herein.

Summam of operation. Assuming that the parts are in operative position,as indicated in the drawings,%and

the'meter pro erly set.,-if a letter passes between the ro 1ers21 and 22it engages the trip finger 1,rotating shaft 27, causing finger 2 tooperate link 3 and oscillate lever 4 and move arm 4 (Fig. 10) out of thepath of the arm 5 of the triple lever which, under the action of spring9, 1s oscillated to release the outer ortion-of the clutch 11 which isimmediate y revolved through. the influence of' the continuously runningear 30, and

this imparts through the descri ed clutch devices onecomplete'rotationto the shaft 237 and printer carrier 238, but themovement of the shaft 237 is arrested at the completion of onerevolution by reason of the arm 5 of the triple lever having beenreturned to 7 position to eng e and arrest the moving member of the cutch by the action of the [cam 11, as above described. During therotation of shaft 237 the printer carrier 238 is caused to make'onerevolution and an impression is made from the outermost face 240". ofthe die 240 upon the letter as it passes the im ression roller 137. Thisrotation of the shaft 237 imparts like rotation to shaft-211 "and shaft211, through the described gearing imparts rotation to the shaft 212 inaccordance with the denomination of the printing face of the die, asabove described, so that the registers in the meter are caused to shifta number of units corresponding to the denomination of the stamp on theprinting face of the die.

If the operator desires to change the denomination of the stamp to beprinted he stops the machine and then by depressing knob 242 and shaft241 heturns die 24:0

shaft 247- is also turned and through the train of gears 248, 250, 253,254, shifts the inking mechanism so that the ink supply, correspondingin color to the denomination ofstamp to be printed, is brought intoposition to ink the die printing such stamp. Also by the same movementthrough the gears 250, 251 and link 252, the gear shift 206 is movedlongitudinally of shafts 212,

211, thereby bringing the proper set of gears A 218-218, or 217-'217 or216-216.* into

